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CNPS Happenings and Native Plant Sale

Beginners and experts, non-members and members are all welcome at our programs and on our outings. Almost all of our events are free. All of our events are made possible by volunteer effort.

Evening Programs

At the Six Rivers Masonic Lodge, 251 Bayside Rd., near 7th and Union, Arcata. Refreshments at 7:00 p.m.; program at 7:30 p.m.

September 9, Wednesday. 7:30 p.m. “Tropical Fungi: New Insights from the Guiana Shield and Congo Basin.” Dr. Terry Henkel, mycologist at Humboldt State University, will review his work in both Guyana (South America) and the Congo (Africa) exploring the world’s largest areas of intact tropical forests to document new species of fungi and study their ecological relationships with green plants. His work surprised ecologists by finding on both continents that fungal diversity approached that of species-rich temperate forests. The discovery of forests dominated by pea family and dipterocarp family trees stimulated research into their ecology and mycology. Ectomycorrhizal relationships between fungi and trees emerged as important ecological forces. On this virtual tour of tropical forests, Dr. Henkel will give us an appreciation of what we can’t see under our feet as we appreciate the majesty and beauty of forests above our heads.

Field Trips and Walks

August 9, Sunday. Pine Ridge Prairies Day Hike. Prairies and the oak woodlands mixed with them are two of our shrinking habitats, as lack of fires and reduced grazing allow conifers to grow, shading out a diverse mix of grasses and herbs, as well as the oaks. Many of our favorite sun-loving wildflowers thrive in these open habitats. A few may still be blooming when we explore the prairies of Pine Ridge, making use of new trails created by the BLM, Redwood Coast Mountain Bike Association, and the Humboldt Trails Council on this ridge in the BLM’s Lacks Creek Management Area (north off Bair Rd., between Redwood Creek and Hoopa). We will hike about 4 miles. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Pacific Union School. Dress for mountain weather all day (3,600 ft. can be hotter or colder than on the coast). Bring lunch and water. Return late afternoon. RSVP to Carol at 822-2015.

September 26, Saturday. Insect-aided Botany: learning about plants by studying galls. Like flowers, different species of insect galls on plants appear in different seasons. With naturalist John DeMartini we will find new galls that were not there in June in the Titlow Hill Rd. and Horse Mountain area in Six Rivers National Forest (off Highway 299). Oaks, silktassel, manzanitas, and tobacco brush are likely gall hosts, but we will look at anything botanically interesting among the diverse shrubs and trees in this nearby mountain area, including any late-blooming flowers. Be prepared for walking off-trail at various roadside stops and for changeable, mountain weather (cold or hot). Bring lunch and plenty of water, and if you have one, a hand lens. Meet at Pacific Union School at 9:30 a.m. to carpool. Return by 5 p.m. (or sooner, driver’s choice). RSVP to 822-2015.

September 13, Sunday. Elk River Spit Day Hike. Where there’s water, there will be plants still green, maybe even blooming. Elk River Spit has salt water, fresh water, and sand, so we’re sure to find something interesting. We will walk about 3 miles, mostly on firm sand, including crossing the river on a train trestle. Bring lunch and water; be prepared to be outside all day. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Pacific Union School to carpool, or at 9:45 at the Park & Ride at Herrick Ave. exit at the south end of Eureka. Return mid- to late-afternoon. RSVP to Carol at 822-2015.

Come see our great variety! We have many hundreds of volunteer-raised plants and plants from our partners Samara Restoration Nursery, Lost Foods Nursery, and Brant Landscaping. Our knowledgeable, friendly volunteers will be available to help you.

PLUS: Every half hour, starting at noon, for 10 minutes a different expert will show and tell about his or her favorite plants available at our sale.

For your drought tolerant garden, native plants are the way to go.

For your backyard edible and medicinal garden, native plants are important additions. For butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds we offer monkeyflowers, penstemons, sages, buckwheats, phacelias, California fuchsia, beeplant, columbine, and more. For birds and their insect food we have shrubs, many of them berry-producers, to create a hedgerow, screen, or thicket. For shade we have wild ginger, inside-out flower, sugar scoop, miterwort, piggy-back plant, boykinia, and ferns. For form and year-round interest we have six species of grasses, both tall and short. For groundcover we have beach strawberry, silverweed, and modesty. So many plants; so little space in your yard!